1. Classical Chinese and translations written by Laozi
Chapter 3 of "Laozi" If you don't respect the virtuous, the people will not fight; if you don't value the rare goods, the people will not steal; if you don't see the valuables, the people will not steal. Desire keeps the people's minds stable.
This is the rule of the sage: empty his heart, strengthen his belly, weaken his will, and strengthen his bones. It often makes people ignorant and desireless.
A wise man would not dare to do anything. If you do nothing, everything will be cured.
Translation: Not advocating talents and talents, so that people will not show off their skills and compete for fame and fortune. Do not value rare and valuable things, so that people will not become thieves.
Do not expose things that can arouse greed, so that people's minds will not be disturbed. Therefore, the principle of the sage in governing the world is: to discard all kinds of prejudices that fill the people's hearts, to meet the people's needs for food and clothing, to soften the people's stubborn pursuits, and to improve the people's self-reliance and self-sufficiency.
It usually keeps people from prejudices and greed, so that those "wise men" dare not do whatever they want. Comprehensive governance can be achieved by engaging in the act of becoming nothing.
Chapter 4 of "Laozi" The Tao is in conflict, but it may not be enough to use it. Yuanxi, like the ancestor of all things; Zhanxi, like or existence.
I don’t know whose son is the first of Emperor Xiang. Translation Tao is nothingness, but its functions seem endless.
It is so profound and unpredictable, like the origin of all existence. It wears away the sharp edges, resolves disputes, softens the light, and blends in with the world.
It is invisible and traceless, like a very uncertain existence. I don't know if there is any more original existence above it. I just feel that it existed before the Emperor of Heaven.
Chapter 5 of "Laozi" The heaven and the earth are unkind and regard all things as stupid dogs; the saints are unkind and regard the common people as stupid dogs. Between heaven and earth, is it still like a quarrel? If it is empty but not yielding, it will get better when it moves.
It is better to stay focused than to talk too much. Translation: Heaven and earth have no regard for benevolence, and treat all things as "rubber dogs"; the sage does not insist on benevolence, and treats the common people as "rubber dogs."
Between heaven and earth, isn’t it just like a big empty bubble like an air bag or an empty tube? Although it is empty, it will not collapse, and life and transformation continue during its operation. Working diligently on your reputation often doesn't work. It's better to stay empty and let nature take its course.
Chapter 6 of "Laozi" The God of Grain is immortal and is called the mysterious female. The gate of Xuanfei is called the root of heaven and earth.
It is as long as it is kept, but it is not used diligently. Translation: The virtual god exists forever, and can be called the extremely deep source of reproduction.
The doorway to this extremely deep source of reproduction is the foundation of this world. It exists continuously and vaguely, and its functions are endless.
Chapter 7 of "Laozi" Eternal Life. The reason why heaven and earth can be long-lasting is because they do not generate themselves, so they can live forever.
This means that the saint comes first after his body; Isn’t it because of his selflessness? Therefore, it can be done privately.
Translation Forever and ever. The reason why the heaven and the earth can last forever is because they do not insist on maintaining a situation that is necessary for them, so they can last long.
Therefore, the saint put his own personal interests behind and became the leader of the crowd; he put his own wealth and life aside, but better protected his own wealth and life. Isn't it because he doesn't care about himself? In this way, he can achieve himself better.
Chapter 8 of "Laozi" The best is like water. Water is good for all things and does not compete with it. It is disliked by everyone, so it is close to the Tao.
Live in a good place, have a good heart, be kind and benevolent, speak good faith, govern well, do good things, and act at good times. The husband does not fight, so there is no need for you.
Translation Good examples of behavior are like water. Water is good at guiding all things without competing with them. It stays in low places that no one wants to be in, so it is close to Tao.
Water, good at choosing the right place to live, deep and clear intentions, harmonious and close friendships, words and deeds consistent, easy to be quiet and peaceful in public relations, capable of doing things, good at taking actions when the situation arises Go with the flow. Just because water always benefits all things without competing with it, it rarely suffers from mistakes.
Chapter 9 of "Laozi" If you hold on to it and gain it, it will not be as good as it is; if you hold on to it and sharpen it, it will not last long. A house full of gold and jade cannot be guarded; if one is rich and arrogant, he will bring his own fault.
It is the way of heaven to retreat after one's merits. Translation: Holding on to fullness is worse than stopping when enough is enough.
It’s hard to stay sharp for a long time. The house is full of gold and jade, who can keep it hidden? Being rich and arrogant will lead to disaster.
Retire after success is the most important code of conduct that should be followed.
Chapter 10 of "Laozi" If Zaiying Po hugs one another, can we be inseparable? Is it possible to be as soft as a baby if you focus on your Qi? Is it possible to cleanse away the mysterious mirror and treat it like a flaw? To love the country and govern the people, can we do nothing? If the heavenly gate is open and closed, can it be considered a female? If you understand Sida, how can you be ignorant? Translation: Is it possible to maintain the harmony and unity of soul and body without disintegration? Is it possible to be as gentle and easy-going as a baby with a harmonious temperament? Can the deep and clear self be free from any flaws? Can we love the people and govern the country without being obsessed with fame and let nature take its course? In the cycle of performing one's work and then retreating after one's achievements, can one be like a female? If we understand the Tao and "illuminate" in all fields, can we "borrow light" from explicit academic prejudices? Give birth to it, raise it, give birth to it without being bound to it, do not rely on it for what it has achieved, and do not dominate it even though it has higher qualifications and powers. This is called "Xuande" that is infinitely profound in the Tao. .